Maintenance of conductivity in electrical systems



Nov. 7, 1950 R. SHERMAN 2,528,558

MAINTENANCE OF CONDUCTIVITY IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS Filed Dec. 31, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. 1;

% I N V EN TOR. @M M 1 r I q! 4 E 4 L R. SHERMAN 2,528,558

MAINTENANCE OF- CONDUCTIVITY IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 7, 1950 Filed Dec. 31, 1946 A i u see -e72 cm QM iNVENT'OR.

Nov. 7, 1950 R. SHERMAN MAINTENANCE OF CONDUCTIVITY IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS Filed Dec. 31, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 lz m - AITORNEY Nov. 7, 1950 R. SHERMAN 2,528,558

MAINTENANCE OF CONDUCTIVITY IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS Filed Dec. 31, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 NVENTOR. 1324 Q I. J 1 BY 7 B22 \33\ ml 1 32'; I F 1- Nov. 7, 1950 R. SHERMAN 2,523,553

MAINTENANCE OF CONDUCTIVITY IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS Filed Dec. 31, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig.6.

1N VEN TOR.

Nov. 7, 1950 R. SHERMAN 2,528,558

MAINTENANCE OF CONDUCTIVITY IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS Filed Dec. 31, 1946 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 F g. IO. V Am q 08k {Mos} 1 M lllllllllll 2 IN VEN TOR. BY

toms.

Patented Nov. 7, 1950 UNITED STATES, PATENT OFFICE" IMAINITENAN'CEOF CQNDUQTIVITY 1N ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS Ralph Sherman, Warren, Ohio Application December 31, 1946, Serial No. 719,368

8 Claims. (01. 171 -9,7)

This inventionrelates tothe maintenance o'f conditions of good conductivity in electric sys- It is concerned more particularly with the protection of low voltage and current circuits,

such as measuring circuits, signalling circuits and ethelike containing a number. of contacting conductive parts (contacts).

It is a well known fact that electric systems of this kind are frequently endangered by an .It is thus, an object of the ,inventionto obtain a high degree of reliability and continuity of service in electric systems and .in devices for electric systems such as protective circuits and measuring circuits, including those circuits in which relatively low voltages act, or in which even very slight deterioration of contacts or minute deviation in contact resistance may have disadvantageous or even disastrous results. A further object of the invention is to provide cir .cuit restoration means which are not only highly reliable and haveassured continuity of functioning, but which are also inexpensive and of the utmost simplicity.

Still another-object of the invention is to provide a restoration system in which a simple reliable source of circuit restoring current may be employed, which is constant in its characteristics and which is not affected in its reliability of functioning by variations in the circuits in which conditions are to be restored. Still another object of the invention is to provide a restoration system employing a restoration current which is itself free from contacts or circuit connections, the deterioration of which may affect its continuity of output or its operating condition, except for such contacts and circuit connections as are automatically restored by the functioning of the restoration systems.

Another objector the invention is to provide a restoration system which, within the operating range of the apparatus, applies increasing restoration efiect as the need therefor increases, that is, in which the effect is in proportion to the degree of deterioration of the circuits in which restoration is to be accomplished.

Still another object of the invention is to provide circuit restoration means which are highly sensitive and efiective forbringing about a correction of contact deterioration even in the case .of very'slight .increase of contact resistance and which moreovier, 'areqeifective not only for movablecontacts such as striking contacts of relays, contactors -;of the like or sliding contacts .of selector switches, knife switches or the like, but also permanent or fixed contacts such as bolted andriveted-connections and'thelike. It is moreover, an object of the invention to provide an arrangement in which effective circuit restoration takes ,place ,with respect to the appearance .of smallcontact resistance or small variations of resistance .in comparison with the inherent internal resistance of the restorer current source. Still another object of the invention is to provide a circuit restoration system which may readily be checked visually or automatically by -simlp1e.re1iable.means to assure the operator of effective :functioning of the circuit restoration system.

Other :and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In a copending application filed of even date with the present application, I have disclosed and claimed a .method of testing andeventually improving the conditions of conductivity of electric systems containing contacts which comprises sending ,from :time to time through the contacts current impulses of avolt age exceeding the voltage normally impressed on the contacts to such an extent that any :insufficiently conductive layer which may have formed between the contacting parts, is punctured and full .conductivity restored. In order to prevent the current impulses from damaging or otherwise endangering the instruments inserted in the circuit, it was necessary to .cut out that section .of the circuit which contains such instrument, whenever the impulse were to :be sentthroug-h thesystem.

This application is a continuation in .part' of my application Serial No. 495,311, filed .July 19, 1943, now Patent No. 2,459,186, dated January 18, 1949'.

According to the present invention, good conditionsof conductivity can be maintained, without any part .of the circuit being required to be cut out'beiorehand, by providing means for guiding the restoring current in such manner as to allow it to act .on the contacts without reaching the instrument'or instruments. In consequence of this-arrangement the restoring current can be fed permanently to the circuit to be protected.

7 This current will as a rule be furnished by a separate source, whose E. M. F. amounts to a multiple, frequently a thousandfold of that which normally arises as drop of potential in that section of the circuit. E. M. F. causes any considerable insulating layer formed between two contacting parts to be punctured at once and a degree of conductivity to be restored which offers no prohibitive resistance to the passage'of very small measuring currents.

Restoring may already take place with a cur rent amounting to a fraction of one ampere. However, the maximum amperage to be supplied to contacts of low amperage measuring circuits must not exceed a few amperes, as otherwise the to be restored contact might burn out. Thus, according to the present invention, the restoring current may be fed to the system to'be protected permanently and without any interruption and any deteriorated contact will be improved and full conductivity restored by it automatically, while the main circuit is traversed by its working current.

The guiding or blocking means which deflect or block the auxiliary restoring current from the section containing sensitive instruments, allow the working current, such as the measuring current in a measuring system, to pass through such section without any hindrance. These guiding or blocking means enable that current intensity or voltage to arise in any section of the system which is required for the restoration of the endangered contact, by concentrating the effect of the restoring current on that part of the system which contains the contact or contacts which may require restoration.

The intensity of voltage of the restoring current may be controlled by conventional measuring instruments (ammeters and voltmeters) which will also indicate any deterioration of conductivity at the contacts within any section of the system.

In the drawings affixed to this specification and forming part thereof, a number of embodiments of the invention are illustrated diagrammatically by way of example.

In the drawings Fig. 1 is a diagram of an A. C. measuring system protected by a D. C. restoring arrangement.

Fig. 2 is a diagram of a similar system protected by a high frequency A. C. restoring arrangement.

Fig. 3 illustrates the use of a precision-moving-coil-ammeter connected to a shunt in a .direct current system.

Fig. 4, shows a similar arrangement, in which direct current is used for restoring conductivity.

Fig. 5 illustrates the combination of the restoring device with a measuring system which serves for supervising part of an alternating current system, this measuring system being fed with separate direct current.

Fig. 6 shows a combination of the restoring device with a measuring system which'is fed with separate alternating current and serves for supervising part of a direct current system.

Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating the combination of the restoring device with a measuring system which is fed with separate alternating current and serves for supervising a high frequency alternating current system.

Fig. 8 illustrates the combination of the restoring device with a measuring. system con- This materially higher nected to the network voltage; however, here the restoring device, in contrast to all the other arrangements, operates without any separate source of current, the network itself forming its current source.

Fig. 9 illustrates the application of the restoring device to the excitation of a direct current dynamo.

Fig. 10 shows the protection of electric contacts partly by mechanical means, and 7' Fig. 11 illustrates another arrangement, in

' which the mechanical parts slide on the contact surface.

Referring to the drawings and first to Fig. 1, only a voltmeter 532 is shown here as the measuring instrument in the electric system, but it should be understood that it stands here for any type of measuring or indicating instrument adapted for use in such a system. The system further comprises an electrode holder 2 and elec- .trode 3 of an electric arc furnace containing a body 5 of molten metal. The working current or load current is fed to the holder 2 through the wire I connected to the point 4. The measuring instrument 562 is provided to indicate any variations of the drop of potential, between the holder 2 and its electrode 3. It is connected to the holder at 6, to the electrode at 1. These two contacts are subject to the action of the heat, the dust and the gases issuing from the body or" metal 5 in the furnace and the conductivity at these points is bound to deteriorate under this action, whereby the indication of changes of the drop of potential by the voltmeter would be rendered faulty.

Restoration of conductivity of these contacts is effected whenever any material deterioration has taken place, by an additional current fed-to the system from a current source 5% and flowing through the connection points 6 and/or 1, this additional current having an E. M. F. and intensity such that it will puncture the insulating laye formed between the contacting parts.

In order that'this restoration can take place automatically during operation of the system and without any danger to the voltmeter or the like, I provide guiding means which force the restoration current to flow through a predetermined path which avoids the measuring instrument. In the present case, where the current source (battery 566) furnishes direct current, the rectifier (valve) 564 acts as guiding or blocking means for diverting restoration current from the measuring or detecting instrument or other auxiliary device or circuit responsive to electrical conditions at the points 6 and I. In the circuit comprising the measuring instrument 562 alternating current fiows from the connection 6 at the electrode holder 2 through the wires 8 and 56!, voltmeter 562, wire 553, rectifier 564, wires 5B5 and9 to the connecting point I on the electrode 3. The valve 564 as such would allow onlyv onehalf wave of the drop of potential to pass through. However, since it is not the absolute value of this drop of potential, but itschanges, that is of interest here, the passage of one-half of a wave is all that is required.

At the same time current flows from the positive pole of the source 566 of direct current through the regulating resistance 561, wires 568 and 569, ammeter 5T6, choke coil 513, wire 5'54, connection 519, wire 9, connection "I, electrode '3,

electrode holder 2, connection 6 of the measuring circuit, wire 8, connection 581], wire 575, and wire 51 7, back to the negativepole of the current.

The current, being positive at the connection 5:79, is not capable of passing through the rectifier 564', as this latter is arranged in the circuit, but is forced to take the way through wire 9 and the measuring connection i and 6. On applying sufficient amperage and voltage, the current will puncture any insulating layer which may have formed at the points 5 or I, and will thus restore conductivity automatically, while the measuring system is being traversed by its (alternating) Working current. The amperage is regulated by means of the regulating resistance 551. E. M, oi the current source 566' may also be made-regulatable, if desired.

While the amperage passing through from the protective device-is indicated by ammeter 510, the voltage is indicated by voltmeter 51-8. These two instruments allow of watching the degree of conductivity at the contacts 5 and 'I. This is facilitated by the use of a current of an intensity which may amount to hundred times the intensity of the measuring current in the system. If for some reason it should be desirable to obtain exact data regarding the degree ofdeterioration of conductivity at the contacts, the E. M. F. from the source of restoring current should be chosen as low as not to enable the insulating layer to be punctured, whereupon it should be raised gradually until puncturing occurs. The voltage required to do it can thus be ascertained easily.

Moreover, the successful functioning of the circuit restoration means is very easily checked visually oy reliable, simple instruments such as the ammeter 539 and the voltmeter 5'18, either or both of which might also take the form of automatically operating indicators or alarm devices if automatic check up on the functioning of the circuit restoration is desired.

As shown, the source of restoration current 566 is a simple battery reliable in functioning, and the electromotive force of which depends in no manner upon the maintenance of good contacts in any of its elements. Moreover, if some contact deterioration should take place such as in the connections to the battery, in the connections in the rheostat 56'! or in the sliding tap, or in the connections to the ammeter 510, to the choke coil 533, or igqthe connections to the measuring circuit at 575 and 5363, automatic restoration of circuit conductivity at these points is automatically assured by the same means as circuit conductivity is restored, if necessary, throughout the auxiliary circuit to be supervised or to be protected such as at the contacting connection terminals 5 and I.

It is quite evident that the circuit restoration means illustrated is inexpensive and very simple. For the reasons indicated it has a high degree of reliability, not onl in the functioning but in the assurance of the continuance of the supply current. Variations in the circuit contacts in the circuit to be supervised have no efiect on the output or voltage of the current source 56%. degree of restoration which is provided such as in the contact at the terminals 6 and i, for example, is proportional to the need therefor. This happens because the greater the contact deterioration, the greater its resistance and the greater the voltage drop therein, so therefore, the greater the restorative effect of the restorer current from the source 566. Good contacts arethus assured in the auxiliary or measuring circuit including the conductors 8 and Qand'thevoltmeter 5B2.

The

As shown, the arrangement is employed' for supervising so callednpermanent or'fixed contacts. It is not limited to=movable or temporary contacts such as might'be employedif desired for connecting leads 8 and 9 to the electrodes 2 and 3. Moreover, my circuit restoration system functions effectively even though the contact resistance:

such as at the terminals 6 and 1 may be very small. in comparison with internal battery resistance, current limiting resistance such as in the rheostat 55:71, the ohmic component of the impedance of the choke coil 563, etc.

The choke coil 51 S prevents the indications of the main instrument cs2 from being influenced by opposing a high resistance to the alternating current, 1. e. to the drop of potential between the electrode and its holder, while to the direct current from the protective device it offers only a comparatively low ohmic resistance. Therefore the protective device may be inserted any length of time without influencing the measurements of the-instrument 562.

Any appreciable partial deterioration of any contact in the respective section of the measuring circuit, and more especially of the contacts 5 and 7. will be instantly removed. At the same time the indicating devices in the restoring circuit continually indicate the actual condition of the respective part ofv the circuit.

If these indicating devices are combined with suitable signalling means, a signal will become perceptible, for instance, visible or audible automatica-lly as soon as one of the measuring contacts has suffered deterioration to such an extent that it could not be restored.

The rectifier sired to afford passage for the entire wave, the rectifier might be replaced by acondenser, which blocks the direct current from the restoring circuit as eiiectively'as the rectifier.

If the working current amperage passing between the electrode 2 and its holder is very high, while the inner resistance between these parts is very low, as is the case with electric furnaces, the choke coil 5J3 may be dispensed with and the protective device may still be inserted permanentlyin the circuit without influencing the measuring instrument 582. But also if the inner resistance is high, the choke coil may be dispensed with, if the protective device is actuated only for a short period of time, since then the instrument 53 2 will also be influenced only during a short period. of time. One may also dispense with a regulation of the source of direct current 566.

The voltmeter and ammeter of the restorer may be rep-laced by an incandescent lamp which, if connected in series with the current source, may serve directly as a limitation resistance and as a crude kind of indicating device for the passage of current and for its amperage. Another lamp may crudely indicate the potential.

Thea-hove described restoring device may be used also if the working current does not flow in' however with a somewhat difierent arrangement of the parts. Nevertheless, the numerous advantages and accomplishments such as discussed in connection with the arrangement illustrated in.

Fig. 1 are also achieved in the arrangement illustrated in this figure and in the other embodiments ofmy' invention" described herein."

fi has was mentioned above, only allowsthe passage of a half Wave of the alternat ingvoltage 'tobe measured. If it should be de- Here 66 l, 862 are bus bars ofari alternating current system of normal periodicity. The two bars are fixed to each other by means of the screw bolt 663. The drop of potential arising between the two bars during operation of the system is measured by means of the voltmeter 569. The protective device is fed from the high frequency alternating current source 6Y3. Since the protective device can remain connected indefinitely, a guiding means such as the choke coil 66? must be provided for the measuring instrument 669,

When measuring the drop of potential, current flows from the connection 664 on the bus bar 66! through wires 6,65, 566, choke coil 66?, wire 6%, voltmeter i569, wires em and 6'? i, to the connection 6'12 on the bus bar 652.

Restorer current flows from the high frequency alternating current source 6'53 through wire 61%, bulb 616, wire fill, wire 655, connection 664, bus bars Bfil and 662, connection 6'l2, wire til, connection 382, wire N8, back to current source 813.

The frequency of this current source is chosen so many times higher than the frequency of the network that the choke coil 56'; allows the measuring current of normal periodicity, which fiows from the bus bars to the measuring instrument 669, to pass through almost without hindrance. On the other hand, the choke coil opposes so high a resistance to the high frequency current from the restoring device that the measuring instrument 659 is not noticeably influenced thereby.

If it is desired to altogether eliminate the influence exerted by the high frequency alternating current source, an inductive resistance 68% and condenser 685 are inserted between the wires 668 and Gill, these devices being so tuned as to offer to the passage of the high frequency alternating current a short circuit path, and this current is thus hindered altogether from reaching the instrument 669. Alternating current of normal periodicity'is practically not influenced thereby.

As shown in the drawing, an incandescent lamp 675 here serves as series resistance and crude indicating device. Here again the maximum amperage capable of passing through the filament must be sufiicient to restore a partially deteriorated contact The lamp 676 may again be replaced by any other resistance which allows so much current to pass through from the protective device that the contacts can be restored.

Fig. 3 shows the use of the restoring circuit in combination with a direct current measuring system which is here represented by a precision am- The restoring cir- I meter F59 with a shunt T52. cuit is fed by the source of alternating current and transformer 76 3, the measuring system being protected in the first place by the choke coil 152 is a shunt with lead E59 and derivation 153. The polarity is indicated in the drawing with the current flowing in downward direction.

The measuring current from shunt 152 to the measuring instrument 759 flows from the positive connection 154 through wires H55, E56, choke coil I51, wire 158, ammeter T59, wires 166, 'lfil, R62 to the negative connection at the shunt 763. Restoration current flows from the transformer 164 through wire 765, rectifier E68, lamp F69, Wire Hi3, connection 116, wire F55, connection 154, shunt 152, connection 563, wire i832, connection ill, wire 1''! I, back to the transformer Hi l,

The choke coil "557 is so chosen that it prevents the precision moving-coil ammeter I59 from being influenced by the alternating current from the restoring circuit. The ohmic resistance of 8 the coil is, however, so low that the measuring current can pass through practically unhindered.

Instead of alternating current of normal periodicity I prefer high frequency current for the protective device. In that case the dimensions of the choke coil become substantially smaller and its ohmic resistance becomes less also.

By correspondingly chosing the frequency I can provide that the influence exerted by the ohmic resistance of the choke coil can practically be neglected altogether.

In order to obtain an absolutely correct reading at the moving-coil ammeter 759, the ohmic resistance of the choke coil 75? should be considered in the production of the graduation of the ammeter.

In order to altogether eliminate any influence which might be exerted on the ammeter 159 by the alternating current from the restoring device, an inductive resistance H4 and condenser 715 may be inserted between the wires F58 and 76!], similarly as described with reference to Fig. 2, and the coil and condenser may be so timed as to act as short-circuit path with respect to the alternating current from the restoring device.

If the rectifier 168 is provided, only one-half wave can be made to pass through from the restoring device without hindering its protective action. However, the rectifier is provided for preventing the device from forming another current branch, parallel to the ammeter 159, whereby the reading at this instrument might be detrimentally influenced. Thus the restoring device can be kept in the circuit for any length of time.

Even if the rectifier T68 is omitted, the protective device may remain inserted, as explained with reference to Fig. 1. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 3, which comprises a direct current shunt, there flows almost always a high working current, while the resistance ofiered by the shunt is comparatively very low, and therefore the restoring device can also be used without the rectifier I63. In that case, of course, a full wave of alternating current Will pass through from the restoring device. The rectifier may also be dispensed with in a case where deterioration of the connections 783 and 15s is likely to occur seldom only and the restoring device is out in only for a short period of time, and that even if very little working current should pass through and the inner resistance at the point of measurement should be very high.

In many cases the inductive resistance H4 and condenser H5 may be omitted also. During longer operating periods it is sometimes not important that the ammeter 159 does not indicate precisely during a short period of time only, i. e. at the moment when the alternating current potential rises for a short interval, due to the fact that a substantial deterioration of a measuring contact has occurred temporarily.

Fig. 4 illustrates a direct current installation in combination with the restoring device which is here fed with direct current also.

The drop of potentialbetween two bus bars 833i, 862 is measured by the voltmeter 809. 804 is the point at which the voltmeter is connected with the bar while the other end of the measuring circuit is connected to bar 802 at 822.

Connection 864 is the positive, 822 the negative pole. The current flows from 804 through wires 836 and 805, rectifier 8M, wire 898, voltmeter 809,

wires 8), 8i I to the connection 822. Direct current from the simple restoring device flows from the positive pole of the source of direct current B IZthrough wire 813, wire.8l 5, connectionillfi, wire 8| I, connection 822, bus bars 80!, 8B2, connection 8H4, wire 805, connection 8F, wire 818, lamp 819, wire 820, and wire 822i back to the negative pole of the current source.

When the restoring device is actuated, the connection 3 l 6 always becomes positive, 8 I! negative. Owing to the arrangement of the rectifier 851 the current from the protective device is not able to pass through voltmeter 889, but is forced to flow through connection 822 and 394 so that the instrument is protected against the action of the restoring current source.

The lamp can again be replaced by a resistance which allows the required amperage to pass through, and in this case no controller for this amperage need be provided, but it would still be possible to ascertain whether the restoring device has restored the contact by watching the deflections of the voltmeter-1839. Since all larger installations include an ammeter and, with the load in the circuit remaining constant, if a greater deflection occurs in the voltmeter 8339 it will be and M3 and 3H5 are the measuring wires leading to the measuring instrument proper.

The measuring system uses separate direct current from the source (battery) 303, solely to measure the voltage drop between the two bus bars. This direct current is regulated by the resistance 354. The amperage is supervised by the ammeter 306.

The restoring device is fed with alternating current from the source 59!. The current flows from 95M through wire 902, rectifier 905, lamp $116, wire 99?, connection 908. and wire 3H5 to the connection EH6 and through bus bars 36! and 392, connection -9 i I of the measuring circuit, wire 3H5, connection 969, wire 910, and wire 9H back to the alternating current source 50!. In the section of the measuring circuit leading to the instrument a regulatable choke coil SM is inserted which serves for reducing to a neglectable minimum the passage of alternating current from the network and from the protective device.

.Between the wires 3I5, 316 leading to the voltage coil of instrument 2!? an inductive resistance EH3 and condenser 9M is inserted at 9|2 and 9 I 5, respectively, these devices being so tuned that they offer a short-circuit-path to the alternating current which might arrive from the network or from the restoring device.

If one of the connecting contacts, for instance,

:JSHE or SH, should become deteriorated, the restoring device will generate a materially higher potential than exists normally consequence of the drop of potential between the two bus bars. The short-circuit path mentioned above constitutes another protective means for the voltage icoil oithe measuring'instrument. It will'be use- .ful also in the case'where the contact between the bars deteriorates materially, thereby causing 332 is normally very low.

.a high potential to develop at the connections 9 I 6, 9H of the measuring circuit.

The short-circuit path formed by the inductive resistance BIS and condenser 91 5 can be omitted in all cases where deterioration of contacts is not likely to occur frequently, or where no particularly accurate measuring results are required.

Here also the new device forms a parallel branch to the working current. In order that the indications of the main measuring instrument be not influenced thereby, the rectifier 905 is inserted in the restoring device. It prevents the passage of direct current from the measuring circuit'through this device. This rectifier 995 will only allow one-half Wave of the alternating current from the restoring device toi'pass through, however its action is not impaired thereby, since its voltage may,.if desired, be increased in order to make up for the loss of the other half of each wave.

The rectifier 995 may be omitted if the current from the source-39.3, which is used for measuring separate current, is comparatively high, while the resistance between the bus bars 30!, However, even in the case where these last conditions are not met, the rectifier 905 can be omitted, provided the restoring device is actuated only for a short period of time or if highest accuracy of measurement in the main system is .nota requirement.

When comparing Fig.5 with Fig. 3, one sees that the arrangement of the restoring device as a whole and the means for protecting the measuring instruments are identical in both figures. This is due to the fact 'th'at, when combining the restoring device with apparatus for measurthe conditions ofc'ontact with separate current, the kind of current used for the device should preferably be the same as that flowing in the network. This involves the advantage that the particular 'means 'for protecting the principal measuring instrument from the current in the network may alsobe used to protect it from the current in the restoring device.

Thepractical consequence is that when measuring with separate current, the restoring device may and should be of a kind adapted to be operated with that kind of current (direct or alternating) which actuates the main measuring simple series resistance, reference is had to the explanation given above with respect matters.

If for some reason an alternating current=is used in the restoring device with periodicity difiering from that of the working current, the regulatable chokecoil' 3M should be capable'from the outset of handling this lower periodicity, and in that case. it may sometimes'loe useful to provide for another set of inductive resistance and condenser like 9i 3 and iii a tuned as short-circuitpath for the periodicity from the restoring device. V

Fig." 6 illustrates the use of the restoring device in the measuring circuit in connection with a direct current system in which alternating current is used'for measuring purposes.

Similarly as in Fig. 5,-the same kind of current source, i. e., a direct current source it]! I, is'used as in the main system, the -means protecting the measuring device from the Working current and to these from the current in -the restoring device being a 'bars, transformer I999. With the use of the restoring rectifier operating with or without transformers.

49I and 492 are the direct current bus bars in the network. The measuring system serving for measuring and/or indicating all changes of resistance between the two bars is connected at I99I and I927, respectively. Measuring is done by creating a drop of alternating current potential by applying separate alternating current from the transformer 494. The measuring current flows from connection I99I on bus bar 49E,

wire 4I3, rectifier I993, the primary winding of transformer I995, wires I996 and H4 to the connection I921 on bus bar 492. This current induces with the aid of the voltage transformer I994 the voltage in the secondary winding I99! of the transformer and this voltage flows through wire I999, voltmeter I999 and wire I9I9 and back to the secondary winding.

The rectifier I993 allows only one-half wave to pass through to the measuring apparatus proper. However, this is no obstacle, since it is only a change in the resistance which shall be measured, and not its absolute value.

The current fiows from the battery I9II of the restoring device through the regulating resistance I9I2, wires I9I3 and I9I4, ammeter I9I5, wire I9I9, rectifier I9I9, choke coil I9I9, wire I929, connection I92I, wire 4I3,-connection I99I, through bus bars MI and 492, connection I921, wire 4I4, connection I922, wire I923, and wires I924, I925 back to direct current battery I9II. The ammeter I9I5 and voltmeter I929 serve for watching the amperage and voltage .present in the restoring device.

Between the connections I99I and I92l there acts the drop of potential of the direct current circuit which arises between the bus bars. Connection I99I is positive, connection I921 negative. This direct current cannot pass through -'to the secondary side of the transformer and to the instrument I999. The second protective means here provided is the rectifier I993 which also would prevent the passage of the direct current.

*One might use this rectifier alone to protect the instruments and connect the voltmeter I999 directly to the measuring current from the bus dispensing altogether with the voltage device the connection I92I becomes positive and the current passage through instrument I999 is then blocked by the rectifier I993 similarly as with respect to the current passage caused by the direct current voltage drop in the network.

Since the restoring device offers a parallel branch to an alternating current voltage drop arrivin in the measuring circuit, it is provided with a choke coil I9I9 which prevents any influencing of the measurement at I999.

As explained with reference to Fig. 1, the restoring device can also be used for any length of time without the choke coil I9I9 if a comparatively high current is supplied from the alternating current source 494 and if the resistance between the two bus bars is normally comparatively low.

The rectifier I9I8 which protects the measuring instruments of the restoring device from the action of the voltage drop between the bus bars may be dispensed with, if the amperage from the protective device is many times higher than the current which might be generated in the restoring device by the direct current voltage drop between the bars.

In Fig. 6 alternating current is used for measuring purposes, while the network is supplied with direct current. Therefore, according to Fig. 5 that arrangement should here be chosen, which also uses alternating current for measuring and direct current in the restoring device. This arrangement was shown in Fig. 1. It is obtained by omitting in Fig. 6 the voltage transformer I999 and the rectifier I9I9.

Fig. 7 illustrates another combination of the restoring device with a measuring system employing separate current, in which .the changes of resistance arising between two bus bars are measured. Hill and H92 are bus bars inserted in a high frequency alternating current system. Measuring is effected with alternating current of low periodicity supplied by the transformer H94 which flows through wire H95, bars II9I, H92 and wire H99 back to H94. IIII is the instrument for measuring the voltage drop between the bars. The current actuating this instrument flows from the connection H9? on bar II9I through wire H98, choke coil H99, wire III9, voltmeter HM and wires EH2, HIS, Hi4 to the connection III5 on bar H92.

The ratio of periodicity of the two alternating currents is so selected and the choke coil H99 is so chosen that the voltage drop of the high frequency alternating current in the network is prevented almost altogether from passing through the choke coil, while the voltage drop created by the source of separate current I I94 with low periodicity has to overcome only an extremely low inductive resistance. Since it is not the absolute value of thevoltagedrop which shall here be measured, but only any changes of this resistance, the choke coil does not hinder the desired measurement.

If it is desired to altogether exclude any influence exerted by the high frequency alternating current, an inductive resistance III6 and condenser IIIl' can be provided, as in arrangements discussed before, which are connected behind the choke coil H99 in parallel to the measuring instrument I I I I. The inductive resistance I I I6 and condenser I I l! are again tuned in such a manner as to form a short-circuit path for the high frequency current. This current feeds the restoring device at the same periodicity as in the network.

In all other respects the general arrangement resembles the one shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 illustrates another system protected by a restoring device according to this invention. In contrast to all the systems described above it lacks any separate source of current, thus rendering unnecessary any special protection for the main measuring instrument, and still the restoring device can function permanently without any interruption.

Here I29I and I292 are bus bars of a power installation operating, for instance, with volt,

I299 bein the voltage measuring instrument.

The current flows from the connection I293 on bus bar I292 through the wires I299 and I295, voltmeter I299 and wires I291, I299 to the connection I299 on bus bar'i29l. The voltage of the electrical circuit in which this voltmeter is' connected may be suflicient in the majority of cases to prevent a partial deterioration of the contact at I293 or I299. However, the current flowing normally through the voltmeter is so small that, in spite of the presence of a voltage sufficient as a rule forthe restorer eifect, a satisfactory restoration or maintenance of th conductivity in the network cannot take place. To guarantee this, the following protective device is provided.

The current flows from the connection 1210 between the wires 5204 and I235 through lamp I2II, switch I2I2, wire I2I3 to the connection 12 I4 between the wires'I20'I and i208. The lamp I2II should be so chosen that the current normally passing through it would be adapted to effect restoration of the contact. If new switch I2I2 is closed, an additional current Will flow through the connections I203and i239 with a voltage of 1 volt and a current intensity sufficient for restoration of the deteriorated contact. Thus here restoration is eiiected without th aid of a separate current source.

If the voltmeter I203 indicates a lower than normal voltage, it will be easy, Whenconnecting the protective device, to ascertain whether the working voltage really is lower tha usual or whether an appreciable deterioration has occurred in the measuring circuit. If this is the case, the contact will be restored once whenthe protective device is cut in, this will become visible in the voltmeter I206 in the form of a rise of voltage or,.ii for some particular reason no restoration could take place, the voltage indicated by the voltmeter will drop further, since the current consumption of the protective device, owing to lack of contact in the measuring circuit, will bring about an additional loss of voltage and the lamp I2 l I will light up very little.

The arrangements here described can in all cases where the voltage of the network is adapted for the restoration of conductivity, for instance, in all power installations operating with 110 or 220 volt, but arestoringdevice of this kind may be used sometimes also at far lower voltages. For instance, at or volt. Obviously with this arrangement nointerruption is necessary in the measuring circuit.

The same restoring device is adapted for use in connection with any instrument which uses network voltage ofsuificient strength for measuring purposes, as is the case for instance with wattmeters and the like, in which the voltage drop may rise under the action of heat or concussion or from other causes.

The restoring device should be connected as closely as possible to the principal measuring instrument in order to thus cover the greatest possible part of the measuring system. 1

Here also, instead of a lamp such as IZEE, a series resistance which may be regulatable, and an ammeter may be in the simplest type 'of installation the lamp may be replaced by an ordinary resistance, i. e. some kind of current consuming device he ampere consumption of which is sufficient to restore the conductivity of contacts that had appreciably deteriorated.

9 illustrates the application of the protective device to the excitation of a direct current dynamo in the case where self-excitation on starting the dynamo should not place. It is well known that D. C. dynamos sometimes do not excite because they cannot develop the necessary voltage by themselves. ese failures usually cause considerable loss of time and require expert handling. They are in most cases due to a deterioration of a Contact in the field circuit which raises the resistance considerably.

The restoring device enables me to apply to the field contacts a, voltage which may be to 50 times higher than the highest remanence voltage and which will at once restore conductivity and cause starting of the dynamo without'the operator leaving his'place at the switchboard.

be used .In the diagram orFig. 9, I 303 "is the: armature of the D. C. dynamo which supplies current through the bus bars I306 :and I308, I332 beingca circuit breaker connected with bus bar I306. Between the bus bars the voltmeter l301'is connected which indicates the voltage generated by the dynamo. .For the sake of simplicity the dynamo is here shown only with an ordinary shunt field I3I0. The voltage is regulated .by means of the lever I353 of a resistance I330. The remanence voltage induced in the armature by the permanent magnetism of the field being very low, often as little as l-3 volts, a heavy oxid layer formed on a contact will not be punctured. In such a case the switch I328 of the protective device is closed with the regulating lever I313 on contact I3I4 which throws in the highest resistance of the field rheostat 11330. Since the total ohmic resistance of this rheostat is at least one and one-half or twice as great as the ohmic resistance of the shunt field, it causes only small additional current to flow through the armature. The insertion of the protective device at this position of the lever I3I3, therefore, offers the possibility of producing with a comparatively low total current a 'sufficiently high voltage drop between the terminals I326 and I321 of the shunt field. The amount of this voltage drop can be regulated to a certain degree by means of the resistance -I32I This offers the possibility of restoring conductivity'in the somewhat deteriorated contacts in the field circuit between the terminals I326 and I321.

A certain proportion of the current also flows from the regulating lever I353 and contact I3|4 through the armature I303 which renders itpossible to. restore also in this circuit any contacts which may have deteriorated.

At the same time the current flowing through the shunt field increases the field magnetism. The'magnetization curve at the beginning follows a very steep course, This makes it possible to produce a very high voltage in the armature with a comparatively very low voltage applied at the field.

It is a great advantage that in the arrangement here described every voltage induced in the armature acts at once on the entire field circuit whereby the effect brought about by the restoring device is greatly increased. The 'voltage induced in the armature, therefore; gencrates at once an increased current flow through the dynamo brushes I332, I 334, the lever I3I3 of regulating resistance and the shunt winding I 330, as soon as the induced voltage in the armature exceeds the voltage of the restoring device.

This causes an amplification of the field, which in turn brings about a rise of the voltage induced in the armature, and this process continues until the dynamo has developed its full voltage.

Thus the arrangement described above renders it possible to obtain with a current source of low voltage a more speedy excitation than with a very high voltage according to the method of artificial excitation as hitherto used. Provided the circuit is not interrupted directly and no defect has developed in the'dynamo, excitation is sure to be effected, since all contacts traversed by the field current in the respective position'of the field rheostat are subjected to the action of the protective device.

In the position of the rectifier I324 shown in the drawing, the current flowing from the positive pole I305 of the dynamo cannot pass through 15 the restoring device, but is forced to pass through the shunt winding I3I0. The rectifier I324 al lows the current from the restoring device to .pass through, but'blocks the path from the dynamo through the protective device. It thus acts as a guiding or blocking means.

When the voltage generated by the dynamo begins to rise, the current to be supplied by the restoring device drops gradually and stops altogether as soon as the dynamo produces a higher voltage than the restoring device. Therefore, when the voltmeter I 30'! shows that excitation of the dynamo has started, the rheostat lever I3I3 can be shifted gradually to lower resistance and the voltage of the dynamo is then raised as required.

The rectifier I324 might be replaced by a reverse current cut-out or an excess voltage relay or by some other apparatus capable of interrupting the current flowing through the restoring device as soon as the dynamo voltage exceeds that supplied by this device.

The D. C. source of current I 320 feeding the restoring device may be replaced by an A. C. source. In the latter case the rectifier I'32 l would not only act as a protection against the armature current, but also as a rectifier for the alternating current and would thus enable restoration of the contacts to take place in exactly the same manner. In that case the rectifier I324 might be arranged as a double-bridge rectiher in order to utilize the entire wave of the alternating current.

Whenever a particularly simple protective device is desired, the rectifier or other protective means may be omitted alogether and a D. C. source may be used, the currentof which is limited by a correspondin resistance. In that case the restoring device should be cut in only for a few seconds,-being cut out as soon as the voltmeter I 307 indicates that the voltage rises. Preferably the lever switch I328 should, in this case, be acted upon by a quick-acting return spring or a time relay to reopen the switch directly after it was closed. Preferably also overload relays or fuses should be provided in order to prevent too high a current from flowing from the dynamo to the restoring device when the cutting out should not take place in time. In every case the dynamo, after excitation by the restoring device, may remain in operation since no changes of connection are required.

"The restoring device will prove of particular value in connection with low voltage dynamos serving for electroplating which operate with about 6 to 10 volts only. The remanence voltage here amounts only to fractions of a volt. Since in these establishments the air always contains traces of acid, the contacts are likely to be oxidized and an oxid film, in view of the low starting voltage, may cause considerable trouble.

The restoring device may also be used with advantage in connection with the D. C. exciting dynamos of synchronous machines operating either as motors or as A. C. generators.

Fig. 10 illustrates the protection of the contacts with the aid of partly mechanical means. For the sake of clearness mechanical protection of contacts is shown only with reference to one contact point, between the electrode I003 and contact spindle M 5, but obviously such protection might also be provided at all other contact points. M0! is a current supply to the electrode holder I402 from which the current flows through the electrode I403 and the body I405 of molten metal. The drop of potential between the electrode holder and the electrode is measured with the aid of a wire M08 connected to the electrode holder I402 at I42I and leading to the voltmeter H122. The other measuring wire is here connected to the electrode I403 by means of a screw spindle I404 with a point I520. The spindle is supported in two bearings I400 and MI I, with insulating material [M0 and IMZ, respectively, holding the bearings in place. At the spindle and opposite the point M20, the measuring wire 1M3 is fixed by soldering or welding, this wire leading through wire Idlfi to the other pole of the instrument I422. The point M20 of the spindle MM is preferably made of a material which can withstand the action of heat and smoke gases. Nevertheless, under the conditions existing in an electric furnace the point will after some time be subject to oxidation. During operation of the furnace dust settles on the electrode and, therefore, the contact between the point I020 and the electrode may be poor from the beginning or may deteriorate considerably during operation.

In order to counteract this, the spindle I404 is forced with considerable pressure by a spring E005, acting on the collar I00? against the bearing M09, and its point I520 is thus forced against the electrode H303. 'A motor HHS drives by means of a spindle 458 a gear Mil meshing with a gear MIS on spindle M04. The motor is controlled by a switching device (not shown) of well known construction, for instance, in combination-with a worm gear which causes it to make short turns alternately to the right and to the left whereby the spindle I505 is constantly reversed also. Owing to the combined axial and alternating circumferential movements of the spindle, sliding friction is created between the point M20 and the electrode. This sliding friction keeps the contacting surfaces clean by loosening any oxidlayers which may form. The pressure exerted by the spring could be such that the point I420 gradually enters the electrode material, whereby a good contact is ensured.

The wire I M3 may also be connected to the motor spindle by means of a collector brush sliding on a collecting ring (not shown) mounted on, and connected to, the spindle I404.

The spring I556 might be arranged in some other place and may be assisted, or replaced, by any other pressure-producing medium, including for instance a solenoid. The pressure exerted on the contact point may be permanent or intermittent; This device can be used not only with carbon electrodes, but also with conductive bodies or some other material, and more especially with metal.

In any case provision must be made for a rela tive shifting under pressure of the contacting surfaces occurring permanently or at intervals.

The described moving of a contacting part may, of course, be eifected by any suitable means.

Fig. 11 illustrates the protection of contact with the aid of mechanical means producing a sliding movement on the contact surfaces.

Here ass: indicates the current feed to the electrode holder I5t2, the electrode i503 and the body I505 of molten metal.

The drop of potential between the holder and the electrode is indicated by the voltmeter I520 which is connected to the holder [M32 by a wire was. The other terminal of the voltmeteris connected to the electrode I503 by wire I501, pliable wire I505 and contact brush I508, to which wire I505 may be welded. This brush is forced against the electrode by a spring IIII acting on the brush through an insulating piece I509. Since, in spite of the pressure exerted on the brush, oxidation of the contact surface may be caused by the heat or the action of gases, I provide for reciprocatory sliding movement of the brush by means of a driving mechanism comprising the worm gear I5I8, I5I'I, an eccentric I522 on the gear, a rod I5I6, link bolt I5I5 and link 5 5| I extending through a guide I5I2 fixed at ISM by means of an insulating piece I513. The brush reciprocated by this mechanism, being acted upon by the spring SID, creates sliding friction on the surface of the electrode I503 whereby any oxide layer and dust deposited on this surface is removed and good conductivity secured.

Instead of a metal brush, a carbon brush may be used, more especially when the conductor is made of metal, whereby any appreciable wear on the contact surface is avoided. Of course, the carbon brush, when moving, may follow simultaneously any other path, for instance, a circular or elliptic one.

Also in Fig. 11, for the sake of clearness, mechanical means for protecting contacts are shown only at one point of contact. In cases where the measuring contact is exposed to particularly strong injurious action, both kinds of restoring devices, m chanical and electrical, may be combined. If in certain cases it should appear desirable to ascertain whether a material deterioration has occurred, the same restoring arrangement can be applied, however the restoration voltage should then be so low at the start that a puncturing to restore conductivity cannot be obtained. The voltage is then raised gradually and by watching both the voltage and the amperage one can find out whether an insulating layer has been punctured. The value of the voltage required will allow the degree of deterioration to be ascertained.

In order to facilitate reading the instruments, they may be provided with a plurality of measuring ranges and/or amplifiers may be used. The restoring device may also be combined with a signalling device which will give a warning in case the deterioration has proceeded to a point Where no improvement is possible any more. Then the condition of the contacts can be watched constantly. The restoring effect is obtained automatically while the measuring system is in full operation.

Whenever no supervision of the contacts is required, the restoring device can be simplified materially. For instance, the means for regulating the voltage may be dispensed with and the measuring instruments may be much simpler or may even be replaced by incandescent bulbs.

While in the foregoing only combinations of the restoring device with measuring systems of various kinds has been described, it will be obvious that it will be of equal use in combination with any other kind of electrical system operating with low amperages and voltages, for instance, signalling or checking systems. Also rotary contacts may be supervised and kept in a high state of conductivity by its application.

When the deterioration of the conductivity in contacts exceeds a certain limit, the restoring current may give rise to very high voltages which might injure the guiding or blocking devices. This may be prevented by the use of a conventional excess voltage protection switch.

The rectifiers, choke coils, etc., serving as guiding or blocking means may, of course, be replaced by any other devices capable of allowing the restoring current to pass through the section to be protected of th system, but counteracting its injurious action on other sections. Even electronic valves may serve the purpose if they are so arranged as to protect the measuring instrument against the action of excess voltage. This may be used, in a well known manner, for creating a short circuit path and/or abolishing the excess voltage created by the restoring device.

It may be well to point out also the utility of a restoring device according to the invention, if used in connection with measuring methods serving to supervise rivet connections, welding joints and screw connections during or after manufacture. Such methods operate with separate current which passes through the contacting paths and indicate changes of the voltage drop. They were hitherto not adapted for use as testing methods during operation of a machine or engine because, if the contact in the measuring circuit should deteriorate or open up altogether, the entire measuring system would cease to act. Here also a restoring device will enable the correct functioning of such a system to be main.-

tained permanently. Important joints in steam engines, Diesel engines, airplane structures and the like may thus be supervised reliably through indefinite period of time.

Various changes may be made in the structural combinations of means and in the operation of the devices hereabove described without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacriricing the advantages thereof.

I claim:

1. In combination with a detecting instrument having leads adapted to be connected to points in an electrical system under load for response to electrical conditions at such points, such leads and connections including contacts subject to formation of layers of low conductivity incapable of being broken down by voltages less than a predetermined value safely withstood by such instrument, a continuously acting source of restoration current having a voltage continuously exceeding such predetermined break-down value, said source of restoration amount provid ing current of a different character from that of said electrical system, conductors connecting said current source with said leads and circuit elements having substantially diiferent impedance with respect to the character of current of the said electrical system from the impedance with respect to the character of the restoration current for diverting restoration current from the instrument.

2. In combination a voltage-responsive instrument having leads for connecting such instrument to points in an electrical system under load for rendering the instrument responsive to electrical connections between such points of the electrical system, a continuously acting source of restoration current, conductors connecting said restoration current source to said leads, and circuit elements independent of the instrument for diverting restoration current from said instrument, said leads and connections therefor to said points in said electrical system being liable to include contacts subject to formation of nonconductive layers incapable of being broken down by voltages less than a predetermined value safely withstood b such instrument, said restoration current source having a voltage continuously exceeding such predetermined break-down voltage, the character of the current supplied by the 19 current restoring source differing from the character of the current supplied to said leads from said connecting points for affecting said instrument to facilitate the action of said current-diverting circuit elements.

3. In combination with an auxiliary circuit having leads adapted to be connected to points in an electrical system under load for response to electrical conditions at such points, such leads and connections including contacts subject to formation of non-conductive layers incapable of being broken down by voltages less than a predetermined value safely withstood by such auxiliary circuit, a continuously energized source of restoration current having a voltage exceeding such predetermined break-down value and bein free from contacts not transversed by such restoration current, conductors connecting said current source with said leads, and circuit elements independent of said auxiliary circuit for diverting restoration current from the auxiliary circuit.

4. In combination with an auxiliary circuit having leads adapted to be connected to points in an electrical system under load for response to electrical conditions at such points, such leads and connections including contacts subject to formation of layers of low conductivity incapable of being broken down by voltages less than a predetermined value safely withstood by such auxiliary circuit, a continuously energized source of restoration current having a voltage exceeding such predetermined break-down value, conductors connecting said current source with said leads, a current continuity indicator in series with said leads, and circuit elements independent of said auxiliary circuit for diverting restoration current from the auxiliary circuit.

5. In combination a generator having output voltage terminals, a field winding with leads including contacts subject to formation of layers of low conductivity incapable of being broken down by the voltage of residual magnetism of said generator when it is started, said leads connecting such winding to said terminals, a direct-current source of restoration current adapted to be connected across said field winding for energizing said field and increasing the voltage of said generator sufficiently to break down such defective contacts, and a polarity-responsive circuit element for interrupting current opposing the voltage of said restoration-current source.

6. In combination an electrical system adapted to carry a load current, an auxiliary circuit associated therewith having leads and connections including contacts subject to formation of layers of low conductivity incapable of being broken down by voltages small in comparison with normal system voltage, and a continuously acting source of restoration current having connections for causing supply of current to said auxiliary circuit for raising the voltage in such low-conductivity layers to break down value.

'7. In combination with an auxiliary circuit having leads adapted to be connected to points in an electrical system under load for response to electrical conditions at such points, such leads and connections including contacts subject to formation of layers of low conductivity and being incapable of being broken down by voltages less than a predetermined value safely withstood by such auxiliary circuit, a source of restoration current having a voltage exceeding such predetermined break down value, conductors connecting said current source with said leads, said source of restoration current having only such contacts as are included within the circuit of said conductors, whereby the reliability and continuity of the restoration current source itself is assured by the operation thereof, and a circuit element in series with said current source for diverting extraneous current from the auxiliary circuit.

8. In combination with an auxiliary circuit having leads adapted to be connected to points in an electrical system under load for response to electrical conditions at such points, such leads and connections including contacts subject to formation of layers of low conductivity and being incapable of being broken down by voltages less than a predetermined value safely withstood by such auxiliary circuit, a source of restoration current having a voltage exceeding such predetermined break down value and conductors connecting said current source with said leads, said source of restoration current having only such contacts as are included within the circuit of said conductors, whereby the reliability and continuity of the restoration current source itself is assured by the operation thereof.

RALPH SHERMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,123,966 Rees July 19, 1938 2,183,838 Hornickel Dec. 19, 1939 2,215,910 OHagen Sept. 24, 1940 2,232,715 Matthews Feb. 25, 1941 

